Deep Affection Temptation

Chapter 2: Temper Growing

Before long, Zhou Yan-jing emerged from the bathroom, his footsteps approaching the other side of the bed. The mattress sank slightly as he lifted a corner of the quilt.

Lin Yu-xi caught a faint, cool fragrance, an intense and penetrating scent. It mingled with a woody note and body warmth, and the undertone exuded a subtle tobacco aroma.

It was a scent branded with Zhou Yan-jing's personal signature.

The dim light from the floor lamp couldn't reach the bed. The night was exceptionally quiet, so quiet that she could hear the steady rhythm of their breathing.

Each occupied one half of the bed, separated by an icy barrier.

After a while, Lin Yu-xi looked at Zhou Yan-jing. Perhaps it was the darkness, but his profile appeared deep and aloof.

"Are you asleep?"

The silence of the night was broken by Zhou Yan-jing's cold, weary voice, tinged with impatience, "Be quiet."

Lin Yu-xi touched the jade pendant at her neck and turned away.

…

The next morning, Lin Yu-xi woke to find the other side of the bed empty.

She rose, washed, and went to the living room, discovering Zhou Yan-jing already dressed and seated at the dining table, browsing real-time stock market data on a tablet.

Hearing her approach, he glanced up, "Where's Mrs. Chen?"

Lin Yu-xi opened the fridge, "I dismissed her."

Zhou Yan-jing frowned but said nothing.

Lin Yu-xi quickly fried two eggs, added ham, lettuce, and cheese to make two sandwiches, and brought them to the table.

Zhou Yan-jing gave them a cursory look, "Do you usually eat this?"

This was already much better than what Lin Yu-xi typically had. Most mornings, in a rush to get to work, she’d just grab two slices of toast.

She thought to herself: Eat it if you want.

A cat's meow came from behind the sofa. Lin Yu-xi turned to see a timid calico peeking out.

During a recent torrential downpour, she had found a litter of stray kittens, trembling and drenched. Their mother was emaciated. Unable to leave them behind, she brought them home, planning to find them new homes once they were weaned. But Zhou Yan-jing’s sudden return complicated matters.

He had always forbidden her from keeping cats. Once, when he was in America, she rescued a stray and called to ask his permission to keep it. His reply was a terse, "No."

She had locked the cats in a spare room, not expecting them to be clever enough to open the door.

As expected, Zhou Yan-jing frowned, "Where did this stray come from?"

His tone was full of disdain, which irked Lin Yu-xi. She walked over, picked up the cat, and muttered, "I gave birth to it."

Zhou Yan-jing smirked, "You should apply for a Nobel Prize then."

Lin Yu-xi returned the cat to the room. When she came back out, Zhou Yan-jing had put on his jacket. The sandwiches she made remained untouched on the table.

Zhou Yan-jing, adjusting his tie, delivered a verdict without turning around, "Get rid of it before I get back."

Lin Yu-xi didn't respond.

This mansion was enormous. It could easily house a few kittens. Why was he so heartless towards these helpless creatures?

Despite his wealth, he had a cruel heart.

Zhou Yan-jing caught her expression in the mirror, "What are you cursing me for now?"

"…"

"Who dares curse you?" Lin Yu-xi said, "I'll keep them confined, and they won’t get out again. I'll disinfect the house daily and find them new homes soon."

She hurriedly packed the sandwiches to eat on her way to work.

"If you can't stand it, you can stay somewhere else. After all, you have multiple properties and can call any place home."

Zhou Yan-jing laughed, "Not seen you in half a year, and your temper's grown. You're already kicking me out as soon as I return."

Lin Yu-xi remained silent, focusing on putting on her shoes.

She dressed comfortably for work, with a loose sweater and tight jeans that accentuated her shapely legs.

As she bent to put on her shoes, the curve from her waist to her hips was very enticing.

Zhou Yan-jing, fastening his suit buttons, glanced up. His eyes roved over her casually, "What did you want to say last night?"

This time, Lin Yu-xi had no time to talk, "I’m in a hurry for work. We'll discuss it later."

After her rounds, Lin Yu-xi spent the entire morning in the ophthalmology clinic. Today, there were many patients, and it was nearly two o'clock by the time she finished. The cafeteria had little left, so she grabbed a simple meal.

While eating, she received a call from Ling Ya-qiong, asking her to come home today.

Lin Yu-xi agreed, hung up, and stared at her rice, suddenly losing her appetite.

After work, the family driver, Lao Liu, came to pick her up. Lin Yu-xi got into the car.

The Su-style garden courtyard had a history of nearly a century. Lin Yu-xi knew it well; she had grown up there.

After her parents' death, she had spent years in an orphanage before being taken in by the Zhou family. Though taken in, it was more like receiving financial support.

If a pyramid represented the social hierarchy of Lin City, the Zhou family occupied the pinnacle—an untouchable class.

As an orphan, being taken in by the Zhou family was a stroke of luck. She had no right to be listed in their household registry.

No one had expected her luck to strike twice, marrying the second young master of the Zhou family, which finally got her name on the registry.

Lin Yu-xi sat in the living room for a while before Ling Ya-qiong descended from upstairs, dressed in an elegant qipao.

"I heard you dismissed Mrs. Chen?"

Lin Yu-xi wasn't surprised she knew, "Did she come to you to complain?"

After marrying Zhou Yan-jing, the Zhou family had assigned a maid, Mrs. Chen, to her. Mrs. Chen was efficient and meticulous.

With Zhou Yan-jing often absent, Lin Yu-xi spent most of her time alone with Mrs. Chen and treated her well, frequently sending her home with high-end food and supplements and giving her red envelopes during holidays.

Mrs. Chen’s job was quite leisurely. With Lin Yu-xi busy at work and rarely home, many small issues were overlooked.

Once, the hospital needed some documents urgently, and Lin Yu-xi couldn't find a specific certificate. Mrs. Chen was absent, and her phone unreachable. Lin Yu-xi eventually found her at a mahjong table.

Her mahjong companions teased, "Aren't you afraid of being scolded for being out so late?"

Mrs. Chen, having lost a significant amount, was too engrossed to leave the game.

"My lady is busy at work and won't be home now. Besides, my salary comes from the Zhou family, not her. What can she do even if she finds out?"

"But she's still the young mistress of the Zhou family. A word from her, and you're out."

"Please," Mrs. Chen scoffed, "Our second young master is hardly ever home. How can she have any influence over him?"

People naturally look down on others when given a chance. Lin Yu-xi hadn’t expected such hurtful words from someone she treated kindly.

Mrs. Chen had been enjoying herself when she turned to find Lin Yu-xi standing behind her, nearly dropping her tiles in shock and apologizing profusely.

Lin Yu-xi said nothing at the time, merely instructing her to retrieve the misplaced certificate and sent her away that evening.

Ling Ya-qiong sat down, "Mrs. Chen was merely gossiping. Though distasteful, it was harmless. As Zhou Yan-jing’s wife, the second young mistress of the Zhou family, you should be able to manage a maid. If you can't even handle that, how will you command respect?"

Lin Yu-xi smiled faintly.

Who knew what Mrs. Chen had said to Ling Ya-qiong? Regardless of the truth, Ling Ya-qiong always found fault with her. It had been this way since she was a child.

Lin Yu-xi had long stopped explaining. Even if she did, Ling Ya-qiong wouldn't side with her. It was self-inflicted humiliation.

"Now that Zhou Yan-jing is back, you neither cook nor manage the household. Do you expect him to take care of you?"

Lin Yu-xi thought to herself, I have taken care of him before.

But she didn't dare say this in front of Ling Ya-qiong.